Party PIECE

Juliette Atkinson and her artist husband John love creating a sense of drama in their period home, especially when preparing for the festivities

Full of period details, this Norfolk farmhouse has a real sense of drama

When artist John atkinson and his wife Juliette started house hunting in Norfolk 20 years ago, they were looking for a weekend bolthole. ‘ We were living in London but wanted a country retreat, where we could have friends to stay and throw parties without upsetting the neighbours,’ says John. ‘ We had no intention of moving here permanently, but after two years, that’s exactly what we did.’

the house that stole their hearts and persuaded them to leave city life behind was a 16th-century timber-framed farmhouse. although it was over budget, dated, cold and gloomy, the property had lots of potential – particularly as the deal included seven acres of land, along with various sheds and outbuildings, keeping the couple well out of earshot of neighbours. they decided to buy it, and with the help of local builders and craftspeople, John and Juliette gradually restored and renovated the old house.

‘one of the biggest changes to the building was the windows,’ explains Juliette, who co-owns Fredricks Fine Foods, a deli/café in diss. ‘these often-overlooked details can dramatically transform a home. here, we’ve repaired where possible, but those that were too rotten to mend, we’ve replaced with good-quality timber frames to match the Venetian sash windows fitted in the Victorian period.’

the couple also installed new windows to brighten up the darker rooms. ‘the dining room was originally the dairy,’

explains John. ‘although it had already been converted into living space, it didn’t blend with the rest of the house, so in this room and the kitchen, which was also incredibly dark, we’ve added several windows to let in more light.’

‘ We’ve tried to keep the electric lighting to a minimum,’ says Juliette, who wrote the words to John’s beautifully illustrated hardback book Santa Claus: All About Me. ‘When the sun goes down, this room looks really magical by candlelight, so it’s perfect for our christmas dinners.’

and when the party is over for the night, six inviting bedrooms await, including the main suite in the converted loft. ‘ We’re self-contained up there, so friends and family have the run of the floor below,’ says John, whose guests can choose from one of five refreshed bedrooms – three of which are en suite – and make use of the striking family bathroom, which has a dramatic black-and-white scheme.

‘colour has been used sparingly throughout the house, keeping most rooms fairly neutral,’ says Juliette. ‘ We have a large collection of art, and John is painting more and more; with all that to display, and many exposed beams, the rooms don’t need much embellishment – although, in december, we love to add seasonal wreaths, garlands, foliage and berries.’

‘this place definitely has the sense of drama we love for our festive gatherings,’ adds John. ‘and it’s spacious enough to accommodate our friends and family comfortably, even when our parties go on for several days.’

Sitting room A neutral colour scheme creates a relaxing feel and allows the original fireplace and artworks to be the focus of attention. Walls painted in dimity estate emulsion, £ 45 for 2.5L, Farrow & ball. try Wesley-barrell’s aldsworth sofa in Floren green linen, £3,855

Exterior The white-painted front door provides an uplifting contrast to the aged brick.

Sitting room A collection of beautifully bound hardback books add colour and pattern.

dining room This formerly dark dairy is now an elegant entertaining space. Panelling painted in Zoffany’s Paris grey acrylic eggshell, £65 for 2.5L, Designer Paint. the Moscow dining set, £859.99 for a table, six side chairs and two carvers, Furn-on, is a good alternative

Kitchen-diner John and Juliette love to cook for friends, so this room had to be practical and have a cosy, inviting atmosphere. three-oven dual-control range cooker, from £11,020, Aga. Apples on a Blue Table (60x40cm), £500, John Atkinson

hall The old timber beams make a striking feature. try teatree handmade terracotta floor tiles, £36.75sq m, Nustone. Door painted in off-black estate eggshell, £60 for 2.5L, Farrow & ball

guest Bedroom This space is full of romance, with its blue-painted beams, bed canopy and sumptous bedding and cushions. Caesar rich blue duvet cover, £75; Lodden flower cushions in Citrine, £60 each, both Liberty Fabrics & John Lewis at John Lewis

music room A star painted on the floor by John, and his Bathing Belles in two parts artwork above the inglenook, add creative touches. Floor painted in off-black, Plummett and Lamp room gray modern eggshell, all £67 for 2.5L, Farrow & ball

Bathroom Sketches purchased from a student at the Royal College of Art inspired this monochrome scheme. Victorian Plumbing’s Duke black 1695 bath, £539.95, is similar. try rugvista’s Kilim Nimrud rug, from £115